Istanbul police

Istanbul police on Dec. 21 seized 26,456 ancient artifacts and detained 19 suspects as part of an operation considered the biggest in Turkish history in Istanbul. 

Istanbul police have detained 16 suspects in a broadened operation against a mafia organization accused of forcing people into prostitution, seizing the assets of the suspected gang members.

The authorities on Dec. 18 issued detention warrants for 106 people believed to have worked as “matchmakers” for the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), accused of orchestrating Turkey’s July 2016 coup attempt, a spokesman for the Istanbul police has stated.

Istanbul police on Dec. 11 seized a total of 1,725 tubes containing cobra venom smuggled from Syria, with a market value of approximately 30 million Turkish Liras ($7.8 million). This amount is reported to be the highest amount ever seized in a raid in Turkey.

Istanbul police detained a Nigerian national who was carrying over five kilograms of cocaine at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport, according to a police statement on Dec. 8.

Istanbul police have detained 36 people suspected of having a connection with "Islamic state," FOCUS News reported.

31 of the detainees are foreigners, but their nationality is not reported. Police believe the detainees traveled to Syria and Iraq for "Islamic State".

Istanbul police raided a "vape party" hosting at least 800 guests on the night of Sept. 17, detaining three organizers and handing administrative fines to all attendees for "smoking indoors," which is officially banned in Turkey.

Istanbul counter-terrorism police detained 25 people late on Sept. 11, including 22 foreigners, in an operation conducted on three addresses in the city's two districts targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). 

An Istanbul prosecutor has demanded a total of 37 years in jail for three Russians over their suspected involvement in the assassination of a Chechen militant in 2015 and spying activities, daily Habertürk reported on Sept. 7. 

The indictment was reported to have prepared in February 2017 but its details have only recently come to light. 

Former Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu, who appeared before an Istanbul court on Aug. 24 on charges of having links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), has pleaded not guilty, denying all allegations against him.